WHO SENT THE RESUME?
Most resumes that I receive come in an email. My first initial thought is “who did the e-mail come from?” Most times, it came directly from the candidates e-mail address. However; there are other times when a parent or maybe a spouse or friend will forward the resume for the candidate. I prefer to see the e-mail coming directly from the candidate so I know the candidate saw the job posting, and it was the candidate’s decision to apply because of interest….not the interest of someone else. This factor won’t make or break my decision to forward a candidate resume to an employer in any way, because I recognized that sometimes it may have still been the candidates decision to apply but hey…first impressions count for a lot!
ARE YOU ORGANIZED, AND CLEAR?
There are times when a resume will come to my attention for a position but, I won’t know what position the candidate wants to apply to. When I am pre-screening for up to ten different employers, all with different positions, it needs to be clearly identified what position you are interested in. It also pays to be very organized in your job search. Everyone makes mistakes but the less you can make during your job search the better. Ensure that when you apply for a position that you forward the right resume, with the right job objective. There’s nothing worse than having to e-mail the recruiter back explaining that you sent a resume that you used when applying for a dental hygienist position for a customer service position. Like I mentioned before, everyone makes mistakes. I have absolutely made mistakes in my job search but, the more organized you are, the less likely this is to happen.
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
The first section I review on an actual resume are highlights of qualifications and quick easy to read bullet points. If you can use any type of number, that will grab my attention. For instance, it is okay to say you possess many years customer service experience BUT it is more eye-catching when you can say you possess 15 years’ customer service experience. If your highlights of qualifications or quick easy to read bullet points are related the job specifically, and are clearly identifying your knowledge, skills and abilities I will read through your resume and covering letter thoroughly. However; if your highlights of qualifications are not related to the job specifically or, are based on your character personality traits I won’t be paying much attention to your resume. As an employment counsellor I truly recognize that while you may not have experience with resume writing or job search, you may have wonderful knowledge, skills and abilities that apply greatly to the position you are applying for. I will read every resume and cover letter that is forwarded to me to ensure that I capture the data I need for assessment. However; it is important to be honest with job seekers and to help ensure you can learn from past mistakes so you can land your perfect job. I will read a resume and cover letter more thoroughly if I am impressed immediately with the knowledge, skills and abilities you have to offer and if they are clearly highlighted to the best of your ability.
If you are a job seeker or an employer who has any further questions or who would like the support of VCCS to find and keep a job or, find and keep a new employee please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help you.
Amanda Middleton, Employment Counsellor
VCCS Employment Services
amiddleton@careerservices.org
(705) 328-0180 ext. 256
